Used Abarth 500 - good choice??

[Maybeabarth]

Hi All

I am looking at an 18 month old Abarth 500 for sale at a dealership.

Most of the reviews online were written around 2009ish based on brand new cars but I would be interested in some honest reviews from owners of the vehicle after a few years in - particularly in terms of reliability, running/maintenance costs etc.

Any reviews much appreciated!

Thanks

[jimmyt1202]

I've only driven one, not owned it but found it to be great fun because it's so small. My biggest gripe is the seating position - I felt like you sat too upright and couldn't get the seat low enough and was a bit uncomfortable on longer journeys. Great car but if you're looking at an 18 month old one I don't think you'd have to spend much more to get a year/18 month old Fiesta ST which is where I'd put my money.

[irish boy]

Wrong section mate move it here.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&a...


But yes they are a good buy. I bought one for my wife based on the reliability of my daily driver (panda 4x4).

Got it new in September 2012 and have taken it to 42k miles so far. It's been absolutely fantastic with no issues whatsoever, and still drives as tight and rattle free as the first day. The service intervals are high at 18k so we get the oil changed locally in between each one at 9k.

We were going to change it to another new one but have decided to run it another 2 years to 80k.

[Maybeabarth]

Thanks for the responses - much appreciated.

The Dealership told me it wasn't necessary to get any of the servicing done at Abarth dealers and I could use any garage I wanted. Spoke to a reliable local garage and they said there were no issues and they would be happy to work on an Abarth.

I am right in thinking you no longer have to take it to Abarth aren't I?

Had a Mini Cooper S previously and I don't want to get stung with the same through the roof cash for servicing etc.

Cheers

[irish boy]

Yeah any new car now can be serviced in any vat registered garage using genuine parts, but to be honest with it only needing dropped in every 18k and very reasonable priced servicing you'd be daft not to, any savings will be lost on resale since you wont have a full abarth service history, not to mention if there happens to be a major failure you're much more likely to get good will/support from fiat if they've serviced it.

With regards to seating position you just need to try it yourself, everyone's different. I'm 6 foot and find it very comfortable but I'm a short leg bent knee long arm sort of driver.

[Rocksteadyeddie]

We've had our Abarth 500C from new (check out Fiat Direct as often not much more money than used). No reliabiilty issues at all. Economy about 30-35mpg but much of the driving is local. It's very small so you can park easily. The kids fit in the back ok. I can get my bike in easily enough with the rear seats down. Servicing would have been outrageously expensive IF you use main dealers. Quotes at 32k miles ranged from £500-700. I got it done locally for half the lower figure, and did the "lifelong" <cough> plugs myself for about £40 or so and half an hour of my time. Tyres are about £100 fitted and it's had two sets of fronts, still on original rears.

[Mouse1903]

Owned mine from new (Esseesse version) since April 2010 and covered 41k miles. No real major issues at all. Developed a weird fault summer 2012/2013 where it would only start 2nd time but that seems to have disappeared. Great on short trips or long runs (been to Cardiff and back from Aberdeen in mine). Esseesse requires 6k oil changes.

Pro's: Rare, very nippy, great on fuel (over 40 MPG combined), great exhaust note with lots of pops, handles pretty well and steering isn't too bad, Interscope stereo (no longer standard from around 2012) is one of the best I've heard in a car.

Con's: No corrosion but standard paintwork is crap, can attract the wrong sort of attention, driving position isn't the best, standard seats don't hold you well enough (and if you go for leather they aren't heated), need to service at Dealer to retain warranty is under 3 years (I do all servicing myself now except more major items), traction can be poor sometimes as it doesn't weigh a lot

Pro's outweigh the cons obviously.